Modular expansion joints configured to minimize noise, bridges including the same, and methods of making and using the same

ABSTRACT

A modular expansion joint (e.g., for a bridge) can include an upper expansion support exhibiting a hinge design arranged for pivoting about a vertically extending axis. The upper expansion support underneath may be accompanied by a moisture seal and/or a lower expansion support. The modular expansion joint may include two beams that may be spaced apart by a gap into which the upper expansion support etc. can be received. Each of the two beams can include a top flange defining a top surface and a web extending from the flange. The upper expansion support can be positioned between the top flanges, while the lower expansion support can be positioned between the webs, for example. The upper expansion support may provide a continuation of a travel surface across the beam tops and may accordingly reduce pressure spikes and/or noise from tires moving across the travel surface.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/358,454 filed Jul. 5, 2022, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated for all purposes in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Expansion joints are connections in bridges that allow the structure to expand and contract with changing conditions such as temperature, lake level, wind/wave conditions, and traffic loads. Allowing this expansion and contraction can keep the bridge from becoming overstressed and getting damaged.

Several bridges have modular expansion joints. Modular expansion joints are typically used when six inches or greater expansion/contraction is specified at a joint of the bridge. Numerous noise complaints associated with modular bridge expansion joints have been received at bridges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar elements or features in different views or embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are respectively side and perspective views each showing an example of an expansion joint in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a portion of the expansion joint of FIGS. 1 and 2 with a flexible structure installed therein in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows examples of different states corresponding to different levels of compression for the flexible structure of FIG. 3 in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows examples of compliant flexure joints that may be included in the flexible structure of FIG. 3 in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows examples of joints and moisture seal features that may be included in the flexible structure of FIG. 3 in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 7 shows an example of foam implementation that may be included in the flexible structure of FIG. 3 in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a lower expansion support that may be included in the flexible structure of FIG. 3 in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a lower expansion support with bent members that may be included in the flexible structure of FIG. 3 in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of an example of an installed position of an upper expansion support that may be included in the flexible structure of FIG. 3 in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 11 shows an example of facing sections that may be included in the flexible structure of FIG. 3 in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of a process of installation that may be utilized in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an example of a process of dissipating energy that may be utilized in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various embodiments will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.

Various embodiments herein are directed to modular expansion joints configured to minimize noise, bridges including the same, and methods of making and using the same. In addition to the various embodiments described here, various aspects of the modular expansion joints are described with some further provided detail and/or examples in the following: Per G. Reinhall et al., Modular Expansion Joint Noise Mitigation Study, Washington State Department of Transportation (2019) (“the Reinhall Study”), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by this reference; Per Reinhall et al, Modular Expansion Joint Noise Mitigation Study: An Interim Rapport (2022) (“the Reinhall Interim Report”), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by this reference; and Per Reinhall et al, Design And Testing Of Modular Expansion Joint Noise Mitigation Strategies (2022) (“the Reinhall Final Report”), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by this reference.

In at least one embodiment, a modular expansion joint is disclosed. The modular expansion joint includes a first expansion joint beam defining a first top surface and a second expansion joint beam spaced from the first expansion joint beam. The second expansion joint beam defines a second top surface. The first expansion joint beam and the second expansion joint beam define a gap therebetween. The modular expansion joint further includes an upper expansion support positioned in the gap adjacent or proximate to the first top surface and the second top surface. The upper expansion support exhibits a hinge design and/or a structure that is compressible along or parallel a travel direction without deformation upward.

In at least one embodiment, a modular expansion joint kit is disclosed. The modular expansion joint kit includes an upper expansion support configured to be positioned in a gap adjacent or proximate to a first top surface of a first expansion beam and a second top surface of a second expansion beam. The upper expansion support exhibits a hinge design. The modular expansion joint kit can further include a lower expansion support configured to be positioned in the gap. The lower expansion support can be configured to be spaced further from the first top surface and the second top surface than the upper expansion support.

Some embodiments are directed to modular expansion joints configured to minimize noise, bridges including the same, and methods of making and using the same. An example modular expansion joint includes an upper expansion support. The module expansion joint may also include a moisture seal and/or a lower expansion support positioned below the upper expansion support. In at least one embodiment, the example modular expansion joint includes two modular expansion joint beams (e.g., I-beams or other types of beams). Each of the two modular expansion joint beams may include a top flange defining a top surface and a web extending from the flange. The upper expansion support may be positioned between the top flanges of the two modular expansion joint beams, and the lower expansion support is positioned between the webs of the two modular expansion joint beams.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are respectively side and perspective views each showing an example of an installation zone 201 relative to an expansion joint 101, according to an embodiment. The expansion joint 101 includes a closing box 103 and an opening box 105 on opposite ends of the joint 101. The closing box 103 can be connected to a concrete block (e.g., one segment of the bridge), the opening box 105 can be connected to another segment of the bridge, and the joint 101 can provide a transition between the two bridge segments. A central beam 107 runs between the closing box 103 and the opening box 105, leaving room towards the end of one box for expansion and contraction. Supported on the central beam 107 are a plurality of surface beams 109. The surface beams 109 can be formed as I-beams. The beams 109 can protrude up from the sub-structures of the expansion joint 101. In use, upper surfaces of the surface beams 109 can form a travel surface 111 with the rest of the bridge. The surface beams 109 can run across the lanes of travel to provide a continuous medium of traffic with the two sides of the bridge. For example, the bridge may define directions such as a longitudinal direction 113 (e.g., which may correspond to a primary direction of travel or traffic on the bridge, such as may correspond to a forward/backward direction for a vehicle traveling on the bridge), a lateral direction 115 (e.g., which may correspond to a left/right direction for a vehicle traveling on the bridge), and a vertical direction 117 (e.g., which may correspond to an up/down direction for a vehicle traveling on the bridge). The longitudinal direction 113, the lateral direction 115, and/or the vertical direction 117 arranged perpendicularly, transversely, orthogonally, or otherwise in non-parallel arrangement relative to each other. The surface beams 109 can be arranged to extend in the lateral direction 115, such that when vehicles are traveling on the bridge in the longitudinal direction 113, a force from weight of the vehicle is directed in the vertical direction 117 into the surface beams 109.

The main material used in the expansion joint can be steel with various hardening and grades in some particular regions, for example, at the hooks that connect to the concrete. A gap 119 exists between any two surface beams 109 (e.g., including the edge beam and the first I beam from each side). This gap 119 changes width with the opening and closing of the surface beams 109 (e.g., as the surface beams 109 move closer or further apart with the expansion or contraction of the bridge). A sealing member 121 made of a flexible material (e.g., neoprene) is connected at the opening (e.g., below the travel surface 111) for collecting debris, dirt, water and/or any parts/particles that can potentially cause damage to the substructure of the expansion joint 101. A large, enclosed cavity or chamber 123 may be arranged underneath the expansion joints 101. The cavity or chamber 123 may correspond to a concrete joint cavity enclosure. The cavity or chamber 123 may provide easy access to the expansion joint 101 for servicing and replacing parts. The cavity or chamber 123 additionally or alternatively may be very effective in reducing the noise that radiates downwards from the expansion joint and/or significantly reduce the noise coming from the bridge underside, as disclosed in the Reinhall Study.

As discussed in the Reinhall Study, most of the noise may radiate from the top of the modular expansion joint 101, and the noise from the expansion joint 101 can be due to (1) the acoustic resonances of an air cavity enclosed by the tire 108 of a traveling vehicle, sealing member 121, and the surface beams 109; (2) motion of the surface beams 109 as they are excited by the tires 108 when the tires 108 strike the edges of the surface beams 109; and (3) the vibration of the tires 108 as the tires 108 strike the surface beams 109. As further discussed in the Reinhall Study, the noise as evaluated by the energy spectral density (ESD) at residential locations may be highest between 400 Hz and 800 Hz. ESD at the bridge close to the expansion joint may also be highest between 400 Hz and 800 Hz. Frequency characteristics of the noise for vehicle-pass events can be closely related to vehicle tire width. The frequency peak for wider tires can occur at lower frequencies than for narrower tires. This can be due to excitation of the air volume between the tire 108 and the air gap that is located between center beams 107.

Thus, although the noise may be generated from a range of various sources with a wide range of frequencies, three main generation mechanisms for the noise may render relevant considerations. The first one is acoustic radiation from surface beams 109 of the expansion joint 101 when the tires 108 hit the edges of the surface beams 109. The dominant frequency in this generation mechanism can be the resonance of the surface beams 109. The second generation mechanism is acoustic radiations from within the cavity formed by the sealing member 121, the tire 108, and two neighboring surface beams 109. The nature of this acoustic radiation can correspond to the air within the cavity and thus the dominant frequency can stem from an acoustic resonance. The third mechanism is the vibration of the tires 108 as they are excited by the uneven surface of the expansion joint.

Effective noise mitigation treatment may address one or more of the three noise generation mechanisms of the expansion joint. One or more of the three noise generation mechanisms may be addressed by reducing the resonance amplitude of the surface beams 109 as they are impacted by the tire 108, the acoustic resonance amplitude of the air cavity under the tire 108, and the noise from the tire 108 as it rolls across the expansion joint 101.

All three noise mechanisms can depend on pressure spikes as the tire 108 rolls across the modular expansion joint 101. Lower pressure spikes may result in less noise generation. A smoother surface may result in lower beam vibration amplitude, lower amplitudes of acoustic resonance, and less noise from the tires 108. Hence, reducing the pressure spikes may address one or more of the noise generation mechanism at the same time.

One cost effective way to reduce pressure spikes may be to at least partially fill the gap 119 between any two surface beams 109 with an insert that includes a flexible structure (e.g., introduced into the installation zone 201 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Adding an insert may fill vertical space to prevent the free vertical travel of the tire 108 into the gap 119 and hence decrease the pressure spike created when the tire 108 strikes a surface beam 109 after a gap 119. Making the insert flexible can allow the insert to adjust sizing in response to expansion and contraction along the expansion joint 101. The insert may be of suitable geometry and material to substantially exhibit a Poisson's ratio of zero, such that the insert will not substantially change in height as the insert changes in width during expansion and contraction along the expansion joint. Such operability may allow the insert to have an upper surface that remains substantially flush with the roadway surface provided by the two surface beams 109 on either side of the gap 119 in which the insert may be received. Remaining substantially flush can avoid both extremes of materially sticking up out of the gap 119 (e.g., in a manner that may cause rapid degradation by tire contact) or of being materially recessed within the gap 119 (e.g., in a manner that may result in an interruption in the surface that may still lead to higher pressure spikes and corresponding elevated noise generation). In operation, the flexible structure may be installed relative to the installation zone 201. The installation zone 201 can correspond to a relevant portion of the expansion joint 101 that can receive structure for improving operation of the expansion joint 101. For example, the installation zone 201 may encompass an area that is bounded by and/or includes at least portions of two adjacent surface beams 109. Some examples of structure that may be included in the flexible structure are discussed in greater detail beginning with respect to FIG. 3 .

FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of a portion of an installation zone 201 with a flexible structure 210 installed therein. In various embodiments, the flexible structure 210 may correspond to a cost-effective noise abatement treatment for modular expansion joints 101 and can be inserted in the installation zone 201 between the surface beams 109A, 109B of the modular expansion joint 101 without disassembling the joint 101. The flexible structure 210 is shown with an upper expansion support 212, a lower expansion support 214, and a moisture seal 216, although more, fewer, and/or different components may be utilized. For example, it is noted that, in some embodiments, at least one of the lower expansion support 214 or the moisture seal 216 may be omitted from the flexible structure 210. The moisture seal 216 may correspond to the sealing member 121 and/or may feature differences suitable for incorporation into and/or use with the flexible structure 210. The upper expansion support 212 may be supported at least in part by the moisture seal 216 and/or the lower expansion support 214 if present. The upper expansion support 212 if implemented without the moisture seal 216 and/or the lower expansion support 214 may nevertheless be suitably called an upper expansion support 212, e.g., on account of placement in an upper portion of the expansion joint 101.

In at least one embodiment, the flexible structure 210 may be configured to allow the modular expansion joint 101 to regularly open and close, for example, with gaps 119 between flanges of adjacent surface beams 109A, 109B that shift between 2.1 cm to 7.6 cm or other pertinent amount during normal operation. Under extreme conditions, the modular expansion joint can potentially completely close such that the gaps 119 between adjacent surface beams 109A, 109B is about 0 cm or expand such that the gaps 119 between adjacent surface beams 109A, 109B is about 10 cm. The flexible structure 210 may be configured to be easy to remove, e.g., which may permit avoidance of damage to the flexible structure 210 when the gap 119 between adjacent surface beams 109A, 109B closes to about 0 cm. The flexible structure 210 may be configured to selectively fail before the modular expansion joint 101 or the bridge to ensure that no damage occurs to the modular expansion joint 101 or bridge when the gap 119 between adjacent surface beams 109A, 109B decreases to about 0 cm. In at least one embodiment, the flexible structure 210 may be configured to withstand the forces generated by the vehicle tires 108 to significantly reduce noise. In at least one embodiment, the flexible structure 210 may be easy to install between adjacent surface beams 109A, 109B, durable, and include or be compatible with a moisture seal 216 to prevent dirt, gravel, water, etc., from penetrating the substructure of the modular expansion joint 101. In at least one embodiment, the flexible structure 210 may have a horizontal expansion ratio greater than 3.5 while still being able to support the weight of a semi-truck in the vertical direction 117.

In at least one embodiment, the flexible structure 210 may exhibit a two-layer structure. The two-layer structure may resist deflection, decrease the impact of the tire 108 on the surface beams 109A, 109B, and/or fully support the load of roadway vehicles, for example. The upper expansion support 212 and the lower expansion support 214 can correspond to the two-layer structure. The flexible structure 210 may be configured to minimize deflection of the upper expansion support 212 and/or the lower expansion support 214 and minimize the resultant pressure on the corners of the beams 109A, 109B along the gap 119. It is noted that, for brevity, at least two different upper expansion supports 212 and at least two different lower expansion supports 214 are disclosed herein. However, the principles regarding the different upper expansion supports 212 and the lower expansion supports 214 may be applicable to other upper expansion supports 212 and other lower expansion supports 214, respectively.

In at least one embodiment, features of the flexible structure 210 may be situated relative to features of the modular expansion joint 101. For example, a first top surface 125A may be defined on a first expansion joint beam 109A while a second top surface 125B may be defined on a second expansion joint beam 109B spaced from the first expansion joint beam 109A in the travel direction 113. The gap 119 may be defined therebetween. The upper expansion support 212 may be positioned in the gap 119 adjacent or proximate to the first top surface 125A and the second top surface 125B.

The first top surface 125A can be defined by a first top flange 127A (e.g., which may be horizontal), and similarly, the second top surface 125B can be defined by a second top flange 127B (e.g., which may also be horizontal). At least a portion of the upper expansion support 212 may be positioned between the first top flange 127A and the second top flange 127B. The upper expansion support 212 may be secured along outer edges to the first top flange 127A and the second top flange 127B.

The first top flange 127A may be coupled with a first web 129A extending (e.g., downwardly) from the first top flange 127A, and similarly, the second top flange 127B may be coupled with a second web 129B extending (e.g., downwardly) from the second top flange 127B, At least a portion of the lower expansion support 214 may be positioned between the first web 129A and the second web 129B. More generally, the lower expansion support 214 may be configured to rest in the beam cavity.

The first expansion joint beam 109A can further include a first bottom flange 131A extending (e.g., horizontally) from the first web 129A and situated opposite the first top flange 127A. Similarly, the second expansion joint beam 109B can further include a second bottom flange 131B extending (e.g., horizontally) from the second web 129B and situated opposite the second top flange 127B. The lower expansion support 214 can be disposed on the first bottom flange 131A and the second bottom flange 131B.

The moisture seal 216 may be positioned below the upper expansion support 212. The first expansion joint beam 109A can include a first shelf 133A that may extend from the first web 129A (e.g., horizontally) and/or that may be underneath the first top flange 127A, and the first shelf 133A may support the moisture seal 216. Similarly, the second expansion joint beam 109B can include a second shelf 133B that may extend from the second web 129B (e.g., horizontally) and/or that may be underneath the second top flange 127B, and the second shelf 133B may support the moisture seal 216. For example, the moisture seal 216 may be sandwiched between the first top flange 127A and the first shelf 133A on one end and between the second top flange 127B and the second shelf 133B at an opposite end. The moisture seal 216 may be positioned between the upper expansion support 212 and the lower expansion support 214. The moisture seal 216 may be supported at least in part by the lower expansion support 214, e.g., with or without intervening support bars or other intervening support structure.

In at least one embodiment, the upper expansion support 212 may include a hinge design. At least some features may be defined relative to a hinge axis 218, which may extend in or parallel to the vertical direction 117. For example, as may be most easily seen in FIG. 4 , the upper expansion support 212 can include a series of hinge arms 220. The hinge arms 220 may be arranged in a chevron shape and/or exhibit a chevron structure. The hinge arms 220 can fold at central hinge points 222. The hinge arms 220 may be connected at proximal ends to the central hinge points 222 and extend away such that opposite, distal ends can move toward one another. Such arrangement may correspond to hinging, folding, or pivoting about the hinge axis 218, which, as previously noted, may extend in or parallel to the vertical direction 117. Hinging at the central hinge points 222 can allow the upper expansion support 212 to compress among different widths, various examples of which are shown in FIG. 4 . Although the central hinge points 222 are shown as formed by continuous material that includes the hinge arms 220 (e.g., which may correspond to a so-called “living” hinge in which material is present in sufficiently thin cross section to facilitate cyclical bending for purposes of pivoting), the hinge points 222 in some embodiments may include separate pins or other suitable structure for forming hinge points 222.

The hinge arms 220 can be connected to other structures. The hinge arms 220 can be coupled at proximal ends to the central hinge points 222, which may be coupled with and/or incorporated into central strips 224. Distal ends of the hinge arms 220 may form outer hinge points 226 at which hinging can also occur. The distal ends of the hinge arms 220 can be coupled with outer strips 228. For example, the outer hinge points 226 may be coupled with and/or incorporated into the outer strips 228. The outer strips 228 may be glued or otherwise used as suitable surfaces for attaching to the beams 109, for example.

The upper expansion support 212 may be attached to the expansion joint beams 109 using any suitable technique. In an example, the upper expansion support 212 may be adhesively attached to the expansion joint beams 109 (such as by gluing the outer strips 228 (FIG. 4 ) to the top flanges 127A, 127B (FIG. 3 )). Additionally or alternatively, the expansion joint beams 109 (e.g., the top flange 127A, 127B and/or the web 129A, 129B) may include a platform (such as the shelf 133A, 133B or similar) extending therefrom and on which the upper expansion support 212 may rest on or some relevant portion of the expansion joint beams 109 may otherwise define a cutout that is configured to receive a portion of the upper expansion support 212.

In at least one embodiment (e.g., FIG. 5 ), the upper expansion support 212 may include chevron structures with compliant flexure joints which may be less likely to exhibit durability issues and less susceptible to blocking with grime and binding than some other hinge designs. The chevron structures may include an S-shaped hinge 230 to reduce internal stress. The 5-shaped hinge 230 may allow the structure to be fabricated from a stiff material such as PVC.

The upper expansion support 212 may include deformable materials, such as a semi-rigid plastic, a high-durometer rubber, neoprene rubber, or combinations thereof. Upper expansion supports 212 formed from these materials may be easily 3D printed for prototyping or injection molded for large scale manufacturing. In at least one example, the upper expansion support 212 may include a chevron structure with compliant flexure joints made from a moldable high strength, semi-rigid polymer. In at least one example, the upper expansion support 212 may include indexing features 232, such as notches and matching protrusions at the front and back of each section, which may allow several short sections to be easily fit and fastened (e.g., glued, welded, etc.) together for easy fabrication and implementation.

In at least one embodiment (e.g., FIG. 6 ), the moisture seal 216 may include creased plastic sheeting or extruded rubber (such as extruded neoprene). The moisture seal 216 may be connected within structure of the upper expansion support 212 and/or situated along an underside. In some embodiments, the moisture seal 216 can sit atop and/or be wrapped around rigid support bars 234 in the beam cavity. For example, the support bars 234 may be supported atop the lower expansion support 214 and/or may at least partially support the upper expansion support 212. The moisture seal 216 may be configured to have multiple fold points 236, which may correspond to valley bottoms of V-shapes formed in the moisture seal 216. Including multiple fold points 236 may reduce total downward deflection by the moisture seal 216 responsive to compression of the modular expansion joint 101 and may reduce potential interference with structure underneath, such as the lower expansion support 214.

In some embodiments (e.g., FIG. 7 ), the upper expansion support 212 may define one or more voids 238 (e.g., voids 238 between the hinge arms 220 and/or other structures of the hinges of the upper expansion support 212), and the voids 238 may be at least partially filled with a foam 240. FIG. 7 also shows an example of an upper expansion support 212 installed over a moisture seal 216 without a lower expansion support 214 installed beneath.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show examples of the lower expansion support 214 and examples of hinges 242 that may be included. The lower expansion support 214 may be constructed of similar or different materials than the upper expansion support 212 and may include examples described with respect to each of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 or other materials. The hinges 242 of the lower expansion support 214 may be foldable about a vertical axis 218 parallel to or arranged in the vertical direction 117. Although some particular examples of hinges 242 are shown and described with respect to each of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 , the hinges 242 are not so limited and may alternatively include pins or other types of hinge structure. The lower expansion support 214 may have far less challenging design constraints than the upper expansion support 212. For example, the lower expansion support 214 may be configured to repeatedly expand and compress between 7 cm and 15 cm, thereby allowing more space to create a rigid structure. In some embodiments, no possibility may exist for a fully closed configuration, so the lower expansion support 214 may include spring steel or other rigid and strong material. As an illustrative example, the lower expansion support 214 may include a flexible interlocking galvanized spring steel chevron structure. In some embodiments, the lower expansion support 214 may include a high-durometer urethane chevron and/or a laser cut material. In some embodiments, the lower expansion support 214 may include urethane structure which may offer less rigidity than other materials but may be injection molded or extruded unlike other materials. In some embodiments, the lower expansion support 214 may define voids 244 between the hinges 242 thereof and the voids 244 may be at least partially filled with a foam (e.g., similar or different to foam 240 noted with respect to FIG. 7 ). In some embodiments, the lower expansion support 214 may substantially only include a foam 240. One such example is shown in FIG. 10 , where foam 240 is included between the upper expansion support 212 and the moisture seal 216.

In at least one embodiment (e.g., FIG. 8 ), the lower expansion support 214 may include a chevron design fabricated from high durometer urethane. In such an embodiment, the lower expansion support 214 may include urethane structure manufactured using 3D printed molds and/or casting individual chevrons. The hinges 242 of the lower expansion support 214 may include reduced thickness joints or otherwise be suitably configured as living hinges or other types of hinges. The construction and/or operation of the lower expansion support 214 may be similar to approaches for the upper expansion support 212. Overlapping portions of the lower expansion support 214 may be glued to get a single connected structure.

In at least one embodiment (e.g., FIG. 9 ), the lower expansion support 214 may include spring steel structure components, e.g., which may be laser cut and heat treated to improve elasticity thereof. For example, a series of bent metal plates 246 may form the hinges 242. The bent metal plates 246 may be secured to central plates 248 (e.g., which may be flat), such as by interlocking and/or cooperating notches 250 formed in the bent metal plates 246 and/or in the central plates 248. Additionally or alternatively, the bent metal plates 246 may be secured to side plates 252 (e.g., which may be flat), such as by securing bolts, rivets, or other fasteners through holes 254 in the side plates 252 and the bent metal plates 246 (e.g., at least some holes 254 may be in wings 256 extending at ends from the chevron shape of the bent metal plates 246).

Elements may be installed in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the upper expansion support 212 may be installed with features to facilitate fixation. For example, in at least one embodiment (e.g., FIG. 10 ), the upper expansion support 212 may include a cross-sectional shape that includes wings 258 that extend laterally outward, such as beyond outer strips 228. The wings 258 may be suitably shaped for wedging between the moisture seal 216 and a top flange 127 of the surface beam 109. The wings 258 may support the upper expansion support 212 in addition to or in lieu of adhesive 260 along the outer strips 228 or other fixation techniques. Moreover, although FIG. 10 shows the upper expansion support 212 alone installed relative to a moisture seal 216, a lower expansion support 214 may be added as further support underneath in various embodiments.

In at least one embodiment (e.g., FIG. 11 ), the flexible structure 210 can be arranged with chevrons pointing toward one another. Such arrangement can reduce “walking” that may occur from repeated compression and expansion absent suitable fixation or arrangement to counteract such movement. Although FIG. 11 shows facing chevrons for segments of the upper expansion support 212, the lower expansion support 214 may be similarly arranged, if present.

Both lower expansion support structures can be easily installed. In at least one embodiment (e.g., FIG. 12 ), an installation process 1200 can include operations including: compressing a width of the expansion support to a compressed width (e.g., block 1210); inserting the expansion support with the compressed width into the gap (e.g., block 1220); and expanding the expansion support from the compressed width within the gap (e.g., block 1230). As an illustrative example with the upper expansion support 212, the operations may include at block 1210, compressing a width of the upper expansion support 212 to a compressed width, such as in response to folding about the axis 218 extending in the vertical direction 117 (which may correspond to compressing from one state in FIG. 4 to another state that is further to the right in FIG. 4 ); at block 1220, inserting the upper expansion support 212 with the compressed width into the gap 119; and at block 1230, expanding the upper expansion support 212 from the compressed width within the gap 119 (which may correspond to compressing from one state in FIG. 4 to another state that is further to the left in FIG. 4 ). Expanding within the gap 119 may allow the upper expansion support 212 to fill at least part of the space between the upper flanges 127A, 127B, e.g., to provide a continuation of the travel surface 111 across the first upper surface 125A, the upper expansion support 212, and the second upper surface 125B and reduce pressure spikes and/or noise accordingly. The lower expansion support 214 and/or the moisture seal 216 may be installed with similar operations into a suitable position between the beams 109A, 109B.

In various examples, installation may be achieved, for example, by first configuring into a compressed state, positioning in the gap 119 in the compressed state, and expanding from the compressed state within the gap 119. As one illustrative example, installation can include first clamping into a compressed state, zip-tying each section, dropping into the gap 119, and cutting the zip-ties to expand when suitably situated, although installation may be achieved by inserting one side and compressing so the other side can be inserted and/or by any other suitable sequence of operations. Layers such as the upper expansion support 212, the lower expansion support 214, and/or the moisture seal 216 can be installed layer by layer or in a combined stack that is collectively compressed, inserted, and expanded, for example. Expanding may facilitate fixation, such as by expanding outer edges into contact with adhesive that may be applied to one or more edges of one or more of the beams 109A, 109B and/or by expanding to suitably locate other engaging structure (such as moving the outer strips 228, the wings 258, and/or other features of the flexible structure 210 into suitable position for establishing and/or supplementing engagement with features of the beams 109A, 109B, the moisture seal 216, and/or other features of the expansion joint 101).

In at least one embodiment (e.g., FIG. 13 ), elements described herein can facilitate energy dissipation. For example, a process 1300 can enable dissipating energy along an expansion joint 101. The process 1300 can include, e.g., at block 1310, with an expansion support in a first configuration, receiving a vehicle weight load in a vertical direction 117 and transferring energy from the load in a lateral direction 115 (e.g., with respect to directions shown in FIGS. 1-3 ). The first configuration may include spanning at least a portion of a gap 119 that extends in a travel direction 113 between a first expansion joint beam 109A and a second expansion joint beam 109B. The energy may be received and transferred by the expansion support, such as by the upper expansion support 212. For example, the upper expansion support 212 may enable energy received from a tire 108 to be transferred laterally to and/or toward sides of the bridge. The process 1300 can include, as at block 1320, compressing the expansion support by folding along hinges having vertical pivot axes so as to shrink a width of the expansion support (e.g., in the travel direction 113) to reach a second configuration of the expansion support. For example, this may correspond to compressing from one state in FIG. 4 to another state that is further to the left in FIG. 4 in response to compression along the expansion joint 101. The process 1300 can include, as at block 1330, with the expansion support arranged in the second configuration, receiving a second load in the vertical direction 117 and transferring energy from the second load in the lateral direction 115. For example, this may correspond to the upper expansion support 212 enabling energy received from a tire 108 to be transferred laterally toward and/or to bridge sides regardless of whether in an expanded or compressed configuration.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.

Terms of degree (e.g., “about,” “substantially,” “generally,” etc.) indicate structurally or functionally insignificant variations. In an example, when the term of degree is included with a term indicating quantity, the term of degree is interpreted to mean±10%, ±5%, or ±2% of the term indicating quantity. In an example, when the term of degree is used to modify a shape, the term of degree indicates that the shape being modified by the term of degree has the appearance of the disclosed shape. For instance, the term of degree may be used to indicate that the shape may have rounded corners instead of sharp corners, curved edges instead of straight edges, one or more protrusions extending therefrom, is oblong, is the same as the disclosed shape, etc.

The complete disclosure of all patents, patent applications, and publications, and electronically available material cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Supplementary materials referenced in publications (such as supplementary tables, supplementary figures, supplementary materials and methods, and/or supplementary experimental data) are likewise incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event that any inconsistency exists between the disclosure of the present application and the disclosure(s) of any document incorporated herein by reference, the disclosure of the present application shall govern. The foregoing detailed description and examples have been given for clarity of understanding only. No unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom. The disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown and described, for variations obvious to one skilled in the art will be included within the disclosure defined by the claims.

The description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. While the specific embodiments of, and examples for, the disclosure are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure.

Specific elements of any foregoing embodiments can be combined or substituted for elements in other embodiments. Moreover, the inclusion of specific elements in at least some of these embodiments may be optional, wherein further embodiments may include one or more embodiments that specifically exclude one or more of these specific elements. Furthermore, while advantages associated with certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described in the context of these embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the disclosure.

As used herein and unless otherwise indicated, the terms “a” and “an” are taken to mean “one”, “at least one” or “one or more”. Unless otherwise required by context, singular terms used herein shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”. Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural and singular number, respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” and “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of the application.

It will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not limited except as by the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular expansion joint, comprising: a first expansion joint beam defining a first top surface; a second expansion joint beam spaced from the first expansion joint beam in a travel direction, the second expansion joint beam defining a second top surface, wherein the first expansion joint beam and the second expansion joint beam define a gap therebetween and each extend in a lateral direction; and an upper expansion support positioned in the gap adjacent or proximate to the first top surface and the second top surface, the upper expansion support exhibiting a structure that is compressible along or parallel the travel direction without deformation upward in a vertical direction.
 2. The modular expansion joint of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises an insert of suitable geometry and material to substantially exhibit a Poisson's ratio of zero such that the insert will not substantially change in height as the insert changes in width during expansion and contraction along the modular expansion joint.
 3. The modular expansion joint of claim 1, wherein the upper expansion support exhibits a hinge design featuring folding about an axis extending in the vertical direction.
 4. The modular expansion joint of claim 1, wherein: the first expansion joint beam includes a first top flange and a first web extending from the first top flange, the first top flange defining the first top surface; the second expansion joint beam includes a second top flange and a second web extending from the second top flange, the second top flange defining the second top surface; and at least a portion of the upper expansion support is positioned between the first top flange and the second top flange.
 5. The modular expansion joint of claim 4, further comprising a lower expansion support that is distinct from the upper expansion support, the lower expansion support positioned between the first web and the second web.
 6. The modular expansion joint of claim 5, wherein: the first expansion joint beam includes a first bottom flange extending from the first web opposite the first top flange; the second expansion joint beam includes a second bottom flange extending from the second web opposite the second top flange; and the lower expansion support is disposed on the first bottom flange and the second bottom flange.
 7. The modular expansion joint of claim 4, wherein the upper expansion support is secured along outer edges to the first top flange and the second top flange.
 8. The modular expansion joint of claim 1, further comprising a moisture seal positioned below the upper expansion support.
 9. The modular expansion joint of claim 1, wherein the upper expansion support includes a plurality of compliant flexure joints.
 10. The modular expansion joint of claim 1, wherein the upper expansion support exhibits a chevron structure.
 11. The modular expansion joint of claim 1, wherein the upper expansion support includes polyvinyl chloride, durometer rubber, neoprene rubber, or combinations thereof.
 12. The modular expansion joint of claim 1, wherein the upper expansion support includes a plurality of sections attached or attachable together.
 13. The modular expansion joint of claim 1, wherein the upper expansion support comprises a central strip defining central hinge points.
 14. The modular expansion joint of claim 1, wherein the upper expansion support comprises outer strips defining outer hinge points.
 15. The modular expansion joint of claim 1, wherein the upper expansion support is configured for installation by operations including: compressing a width of the upper expansion support to a compressed width in response to folding about an axis extending in the vertical direction; inserting the upper expansion support with the compressed width into the gap; and expanding the upper expansion support from the compressed width within the gap.
 16. An expansion joint kit, comprising: an expansion support configured to be positioned extending laterally in a gap adjacent or proximate to a first top surface of a first expansion beam and a second top surface of a second expansion beam, the expansion support exhibiting a hinge design arranged for pivoting about a vertically extending axis.
 17. The expansion joint kit of claim 16, wherein the expansion support is an upper expansion support and wherein the expansion joint kit further comprises a lower expansion support configured to be positioned in the gap, the lower expansion support configured to be spaced underneath and supporting the upper expansion support.
 18. The expansion joint kit of claim 17, further comprising a moisture seal configured to be positioned between the upper expansion support and the lower expansion support.
 19. The expansion joint kit of claim 17, wherein the lower expansion support includes a hinged structure.
 20. The expansion joint kit of claim 17, wherein the lower expansion support includes a plurality of bent metal plates secured to a plurality of flat plates.
 21. The expansion joint kit of claim 16, wherein the expansion support is configured to receive a vehicle weight load in a vertical direction and dissipate energy from the vehicle weight load in a lateral direction.
 22. A method of dissipating energy along an expansion joint, the method comprising: with an expansion support arranged in a first configuration spanning at least a portion of a gap that extends in a travel direction between a first expansion beam and a second expansion beam, receiving a vehicle weight load in a vertical direction and transferring energy from the load in a lateral direction; compressing the expansion support by folding along hinges having vertical pivot axes so as to shrink a width of the expansion support in the travel direction to reach a second configuration of the expansion support; and with the expansion support arranged in the second configuration, receiving a second load in the vertical direction and transferring energy from the second load in the lateral direction. 